Hello.
Changes in chapter/ story cause i'm not sure about nothing.
But that just means more alternate universes, if someone decides to pick it up?
It didn't matter how far away they seemed, he could still hear it. Although there was a lot of pretty trees he could divert his attention to, the nice new road, the buildings lit brightly from the inside, it was still all heard. From the left, from the right, from the front and from the back...
*Die already*
*These bandages won't help you anymore*
*You're worthless*
*How stubborn, still being alive...*
*You will never succeed...*
Hattori looked through the window of the car, trying to distract himself, trying- being the keyword. Shinichi was calmly and persistently continuing to uncomfortably stare at him the whole ride, which didn't help much. The voices he was accustomed to hearing really got on his nerves, but now Kudo on top of that?
Why are you doing this to me man?
...Oh. wait. I get it. He's just angry because he feels weird. Or angry at me. Or confused. Well tough luck, i felt the same every time you hid a case from me, and recently when you pretended to care, so you deserve it. I guess.
It sucks, i know.
He had a piece of glass in his pocket, just for safety measures after the incident in the locked room. He noticed that the glass itself made less 'needed' damage and still managed to hurt him enough to bring him back to his senses, and so he took it. The attacks were proving to be unexpected and frequent, so he wanted to have an emergency exit. Although he also saw a familiar knife that Shinichi took with him (for unknown reasons) from the time in the house when he lost it, so maybe he can snatch that later? It did work the first few times and Kudo's pretty distracted by the BO... and staring at Hattori, apparently.
Of course, he didn't have much time to wonder about it more as he still felt two eyes eagerly staring at him, disrupting the process. Intensely, might he add, his friend examined him as if he was some enigmatic piece of evidence for him to connect to the crime. For him, it was already beyond annoying.
"Can you stop staring at me?!" Heiji snapped and turned to face Kudo, their gazes locked together.
"No." Kudo snapped back, his expression never changing. He looked just about how Hattori felt, with this bored expression on his young face.
ugHHHHHHHHHHH. SO, Let's try something else.
"I literally have no idea what's yo' problem! Do i have something on my face or what?! " Hattori shouted, his friend making him even more irritated as he ignored him. Heiji just rolled his eyes as the staring continued, looking out the window towards the moving landscape once more, swearing revenge. "Wish i could figure that out myself..."
Ai, as usual, watched the whole thing happening with amusement. She had a calm expression on her face, a knowing look in her and profesor Agasa's eyes. Ever since they left the house, it seemed like the little girl was both on her best behavior, and worst. Even Kaito was confused about it. - "Well maybe you have to change your mind to figure it out? Thinking outside the box might help... " Heiji side-eyed the girl, a questioning look blossoming on his face just as Kudo mirrored his expression himself. She acted like she wanted to help them both out, but this was nonsense. What was she, an 'useless advice generator'? It looked like it.
"What? " He and Kudo answered at the same time, looking back at each other a second later. "Hmph."
"-Just to clarify, i have no idea what's going on." Kaito murmured from behind Kudo, completely lost since about an hour. Trying to get somebody's attention, he raised his voice a tad and said - "What i do know though is that we are half-way to the city. Since it's dark, don't you think we should stop to sleep somewhere?"
The thief commented, seeing as Agasa listened. The old man nodded, heading off to the nearest turn around the busy sidewalk. Kudo and Hattori stopped arguing after a while, their bantering leaving them just a bit less tense by the time they passed a peculiarly long intersection. Just as it was getting quieter...
"Yeah, so we just figure out who gets what room."
"So the hotel is already chosen? I'm impressed, i really am. You think getting 3 will be ok?"
"Yeah. Now we just divide."
"So, who's sleeping together and all?"
"Yep."
"Are you guys gonna end up like the last time? Should i just go ahead and...- " Agasa asked like a sneak he was from behind the wheel.
"NO WE ARE NOT." Both of the detectives yelled, the back of the car trembling from the noise and the whole front of the car drowning in giggles with Kaito joining with making choking noises.
"What the hell..." Kaito uttered in confusion as the car stopped on the hotel parking, the lanterns brightly shining down on the windows. Haibara just smirked.
They all took it as a sign that they, indeed, will be stopping in this hotel. If it's glowing neon signs welcoming them in weren't enough to prove that, there was also a pretty garden guiding their path with nice decorative plants. As they looked around the busy Japanese road, the parking lot filled with just as many cars as they saw passing by, reminding them that if they succeed, all these people will be safer. There was also a welcoming store near-by, some newsstand and a restaurant, full of people with happy expressions on their faces. So carefree, so careless.
Exiting the car, Shinichi thankfully took his staring down a notch (possibly after seeing how more tense Hattori was because of it), starting walking towards the entrance of the nice small building instead. There were some glowing letters exactly above them at the entrance, saying "タートルシェルホテル" (Turtle Shell Hotel) along some decorations from the latest holiday and some benches with ashtrays near by for people smoking. It looked nice so far, especially when your eyes were blurry with sleepiness.
...Looks nice enough. Thinking that, i hope my sleep will also be nice...
The light was coming off from behind the door and from small lamps along the path outside, all of the entrance brightly lit and decorated. There was a lobby by the desk, also with it's receptionist having a fight with keys, apparently tangled in them. Kaito immediately rushed in to help the poor fellow out.
"Man, who would have thought that all these key leashes would fall at me so unexpectedly... Thanks man, it would have taken some time by myself to do all this... " The receptionist said after taking the last key hanging off his neck, correcting his clothes. The man looked down shyly, the situation surely a bit embarrassing for him, a receptionist, to experience.
"Not. A. Problem. Any time." Kaito said, holding a stolen key behind his back for Kudo to see. The detective sent a hard glare towards the thief, immediately sending the other into smiling cheekily and placing the key on the desk, innocently looking away with a whistle.
"We actually would like to borrow a room for a few hours if that's alright? We are only traveling by, you see... Your place looked nice." Agasa said to the man after a second, correcting his glasses as he did.
"Oh. Are you a traveling family?" The receptionist asked, handing Agasa some papers to fill and preparing the keys.
"Uhh, actually, we are investigating a case. Or, will investigate soon, once i put my detectives to rest. And, of course, my..." Agasa said, Ai waving to the man behind the desk slightly.
"Oh, interesting! You like to bring your granddaughter along to help figure out the case?" The man was almost done, assigning them rooms and starting to show the way along the nice corridors.
Continuing to ramble on, the man filled the silence, all five of them following slowly. "...-I heard about this one popular detective guy that always brings his daughter and some kid along to help him find clues... I have been told that the youngsters can perceive a lot more than adults sometimes, so maybe that's why the guy is so good at his job? Although it gotta be rough to see crime scenes all the time in such a young age, no? i also think that...-"
The two talked for a while, the others following behind. Hattori turned to Kaito who was slowly catching up, the notorious thief apparently tired if his closing eyes were anything to go by. The detective almost felt like he had known him already, but again, he didn't really know him much. Actually, he was curious as to how he found out about Shinichi and all, so what better time than now?
He started the conversation by nudging the other on the shoulder, waking him up, smiling. "You looked lost in thought. You...Figured something out?" Heiji said, getting the boy's attention.
"Nah. Just... Appreciating the hotel i guess." Kaito lied, clearly, as the hallways were looking the same since good 5 minutes.
"...Yeah...sure."
"..."
"I remember you from the party."
"Huh?"
"You know, the one in which we both tried to be Kudo to save him from Ran findin' out? Even though he didn't say a word about yo identity, i think we saw each other."
Kaito's face suddenly changed into one of recognition, the latter surely recalling the event. "Yeah! You were totally damasked though. If not for you skin, you guys would be like two water drops too. And you're getting that from a master of disguises, not a light praise. "
"Actually, there was one time i totally pulled it off. I think... it was my destiny. Sooner or later, i would've done it." The proud look on his face made the thief smile, making him think, ...If Shinichi says Hattori is sadder than usual, i wonder just how energetic he normally is. Damn, not often do i meet such people. Kinda reminds me of...
"...There was always something that i wanted to ask tho'. Why you guys look so similar? Even yo' voices, totally bizarre."
"Well, uh, you see..."
Some guests from the other rooms and the cafeteria walked by, talking loudly, the hotel receptionist finally arriving near their own rooms just as they passed them. Agasa had finally thanked for the service and started handing out keys to the three places available, the tiredness making him repeat picking them up as he missed his hand 2 times. Kudo immediately perked up as he got the key along Kaito, immediately catching onto the ploy.
"Wait, don't tell me you were actually serious in the car." His voice was thick with tiredness, slight bewilderment present underneath. Of course, it would be surprising for him that they somehow sleep in close proximity every day lately, but now he was seriously debating if this was someone else's intention. It was getting ridiculous.
"I'm still making you do it. For scientific reasons." Ai said, clearly and very serious. There was something in her voice which made the two detectives stop objecting, weird barrier making them obey. Kaito just smiled, slowly starting to get used to and enjoy the drama between the two more, Agasa staying silent and yawning, apparently agreeing with Ai judging by his stern expression.
"So we are in one room for scientific reasons?" "...I'm not even gonna question this."
"I would, but i'm too tired. So... 'night?"
"..."
" ...'night then."
Everyone got to their hotel rooms (Haibara pushing both Heiji and Shinichi into one after they stood motionlessly) while the other guys set their stuff in place and started preparing the beds.
Tomorrow was an important interrogation, with everything already set, but Kudo feared he will have many more things to think about before any of that.
As they got set and Kaito tried to impress some maids, everybody was ready to catch some sleep. Well... All except the two incredibly awkward detectives, one in pajamas and the other still fully clothed. Shinichi was looking at Hattori expectantly as the other didn't remove his hoodie yet, the light making his tired eyes even more apparent.
"So i'm taking the carpet, ye?" Heiji said as he swiftly stole one pillow from the bed, setting it up on the ground. Shinichi's eyes widened, protesting. "No way! You are still injured, so just take the bed and i will take some blanket." Shinichi took the pillow away. Hattori huffed, irritated. "Stop doing this, alright? I'm fine, so take the bed. No problem."
Kudo stopped Hattori from setting stuff out on the ground, grabbing his injured arm strongly. The other hissed, taking it away at the speed of light, a spark of concern surfacing in Kudo. Stopping himself from apologizing, Shinichi gave him one long knowing look, making the situation even more tense and weird for both of them. He needed to pressure Hattori if he ever wanted to help him, and so he held his stare. Kudo briefly wondered if this was what Haibara wanted.
...Wait...
"You wondered why Haibara put us together... so... I think i know a part of it." Heiji looked back up as he listened closely, actually interested. He still held his arm to his chest though, protecting it from the other and making himself look smaller. Kudo looked away, continuing.
"Let me redress those bandages." Shinichi stated firmly with no room for argument. Hattori's face showed confusion and deep analyzing of the other's words, the teen clearly not wanting to do such things. He looked conflicted, murmuring, "Ya think i can't do tha' myself?", receiving no answer.
"Why are you so weird lately? Ya actually actin' like..."
After a while of silence, the teen gave up and took off his hoodie. Shinichi quickly got ready to help him with his cuts and bruises once more, satisfied of his victory of bringing even a little bit of the old Hattori back. He felt like this was progress. He felt like tomorrow will be easier if he does this now.
Grabbing some materials from the cabinets in the small bathroom, Kudo looked out the small darkened window, some leaves rustling on the green trees outside. It was really pretty tonight, he noted. Looking away as he came back into the room with bandages, he found himself shifting a gasp seeing how much worse this all have gotten since the last time.
More cuts and blood were visible and present, Heiji's hands now almost totally covered in the gray cloth. His skin was pale, radiating heat from a slightly weakened fever, still clammy and sweaty from the day. Shinichi was momentarily stuck staring for a longer while, never realizing how little progress his previous work achieved, finally shaking himself awake after a bit as he focused on the task at hand. Some of the bruises looked better, yes, but everything else needed attention.
...Once again...
What a burden you are.
H̨͚͛͝E͉̦͈̩̯͎͂̈́̀́̀͘ ͉̜̫̋̓͠H̻̬̥͐́̑͜͝Ĕ̘̲͠ H̭̝͉͖̖͓̏͆̒̋̄͗È̞̯̄͐͟ ̢̤͎͔̹̊͗̂̅̔̌͢HË̠ ̖͈͈̗̘̓͆͗͌̐h̜̖̩̜̾̌͑̄͜͡e͙͍͙͖͂̈̇̍ ̟̦́̀h͇͑e̡͎̺̙͊̐̔̽͜͡ ̦͍͕͑̀̚͠ͅh̼̮̙͈́͂͆͘e̗̘̮̒́̈
"Sit down on the bed." The detective of the East stated, a new plan forming in his head.
"Do you think you will get away with this?"
"Just shut up and take it already."
"What even is this for? Why..."
"Don't you think you're asking too many questions?"
"You never answered last time."
"Just know i'm here every time, and every time i leave when i get what i want"
"You will get caught, you know this? They will get you one time, and i will finally be free. From both of you trapping me, i choose the police."
"You... Heh, you won't be so brave after THAT-"
"W-Wait!"
It was uncomfortable, sitting alone in the silence of the late hour. Unknowingly to Shinichi, Hattori was now thinking all kinds of stuff, every thought blaming him for his incompetency. If he only wouldn't be so weak through all of this, the investigation would be long over.
Kudo tried to be gentle, tempted to ask about all these new cuts while also focusing on applying the bandage correctly. Nevertheless Heiji flinched a few times, lessening the covering a bit to correct it and closing his eyes more and more as minutes went by. More incomplete thoughts were now entering his mind, the calmness and safety he didn't feel for a long time making him relaxed.
... I don't know why, but when we are close the voices get quieter... Maybe the poison they used... and his poison are...
"-Interacting with each other. Right? " Ai stated clearly, setting up her own bed and covering it with a green blanket.
"That would... make sense? " Agasa answered, his tea getting cooled in his hand. Through the open window some nice air was entering the room, the drink leaving more steam because of the temperature contrasting. Even though the trees were still having their leaves on the branches, the cooler weather was closing in, slowly making an entrance to the following season. "Yeah...Yeah? Maybe? Hm..." - The old man looked at her in amusement, stating. " So that's why you put them together... The poison you detected is somehow nullified by Shinichi's, therefore we have nothing to worry about as long as they are close-ish? "
" Yeah. My cured poison is somehow making the one Heiji has have weaker effects, although small traces remain. I'm still figuring this out myself."
" How do you even know what to do with this new poison? Were you around when they invented it? "
" No... It's not like that. This scientist, he was working in similar time as when i was ... leaving ... The Organization. There were some ideas going around from him on this poison focusing mostly on pure pain and torture, making a target harm themselves by controlling their nervous system or even thinking. Like a liquid torture, although i don't know how it works. Heiji seems controlled though, so i think he either figured out a stop to all this alone or it simply didn't work because of Kudo. Too bad his 'antidote' doesn't know about all that. "
" so... What was the last piece that made you so sure? "
"Hmm..."
"Yeah?"
" I remember this one rumored feature he talked about ... It seemed like he was trying to implement a special perception altering formula allowing the user to read special codes, often threats, passwords or information - also speeding up the effect. It was interesting, that's why i heard all the gossip from others. Not working on the main formula sure left him a lot of space to play around, doing whatever he wanted and the BO needed, so i wouldn't be surprised if people were just envious. After the coded messages came from this Osakan girl of his, i figured it was probably threats coded specifically for him. Too bad that kind of stuff only angers this boy more, motivating him beyond imagination, just like the situation when his dad totally rejected his investigation. Guy sure is stubborn for a teenager.
Judging by the fact that Hattori submitted a request of holding Kazuha Toyama and Ran Mouri in custody and is also chasing the very group that threatened her, I like to think that i'm right."
Ai lied down, opening a book at the page she left at. Yawning, she made one final dismissive wave at the professor who's eyebrows were shot up from her explanation, saying offhandedly; "It will all be stable if we keep 'em close - and i will deal with the antidote later. If i mix the poison and antidote, maybe Heiji will be able to stop being glued to Kudou if this gets worse. Ever since Kudo is so focused on him i doubt we will have Hattori damaging himself any further during one of the attacks any time soon, though. There is nothing better than a stone-cold-turned-kindly-warm detective looking after his fragile ass, i assure you.-"
*Yawn*
"Now, goodnight."
Agasa just looked out the window, wondering in silence, the moon shining through the clouds.
Shinichi was willing to take action soon tonight, trying to pressure his friend into answers after he already won once. He had a feeling he was so close to the answer he basically couldn't contain himself before using his tactics more, catching his friend by the shoulders as he finished his work.
Hattori was getting extra sleepy as he finished taking care of his injuries though, nodding off every few times in the time-span of these few minutes. As he was almost sure that his tired friend will fall asleep for good if he leaves him in silence for one more minute, he spoke, sternly.
"How did this happen?"
Heiji looked up slowly, his eyes already glassy and his mind clouded by tiredness. "Wha'...exactly?"
"All these fresh cuts. Your escape. The clue...? "
"Does it matter? It doesn't. Just like me...hah." Heiji slurred, his incredibly blurred eyesight worsening at how much more relaxation and relief he was feeling. Spending the whole day in the mess of the voices and recurring pain, now finally in a safe and dark place, feeling protected and comfortable and held was simply...
amazing.
Honestly he just wanted to let himself remain in this weird safe zone, taking more time to prepare for what's to come by simply sleeping. Why couldn't his problems disappear as he was sleeping? Why all the dead bodies he finds every time he meets Kudo aren't simply asleep? Why is it always so difficult...
There was some muffled words he heard Shinichi say, none of them making it through to him. He let himself fall onto Kudo's chest, not caring for anything once more. He was beginning to get warm, he noticed - but couldn't determine why. The only thing he felt was being laid down gently, some quilt encompassing him not long after.
...
Kudo was trying to argue after Heiji was bringing his self-worth down once more. It also suggested that the filter was gone from his words just like the last time, bringing an opportunity to get through to his friend. "No, no way Heiji!"
"You do matter, Hattori. Of course you do! Same as your health! But until you tell me why you keep getting worse, i can't help you, don't you see?" Kudo said, trying to keep Heiji awake to answer at all costs. "As well as you telling me why i'm..."
His friend however just bowed down and landed on his shoulder, falling asleep. Again.
...God dammit.
"Hattori..."
He lied his friend down on the bed, getting some quilt to cover him. The bandages were all fresh, making him sleep more soundly, finally releasing him from all the dried blood that he was surrounded by before. Shinichi had a proud expression on his face as he appreciated his nicely done work, even if it was only a partial success, turning off the bright lights in the room. Closing his eyes in the darkness, his hand covered his face, the looping thoughts and memories rewinding in his mind.
His friend seemed to be so stubborn he felt the need to lie to Kudo, which made the other frustrated (and determined) even more. He felt the weird need to protect, the need to understand, the need to help... - yet he was helpless.
Which, for him, was completely new. Normally it would be weird, or not weird because of Hattori, but now there was an aspect of Hattori lying to him just because he didn't want Kudo to...care?
He didn't understand what he wanted to do, his emotions and thoughts conflicting with each other. It was the first time he needed to use such delicacy besides around Ran and unstable criminals, needing to balance his trust and methods to not screw up. There had to be a reason, for Hattori's change, the BO, the codes and mysteries left behind. All left for him to solve, just like every other case. He was slowly getting tired of this all, remembering the simpler days, remembering the life he technically could return to. Could. Won't.
There is a debt to pay, a person to save, a mystery to solve and a chapter to close.
Laying down and sharing some more quilt, he hugged the other closer, Heiji's slight fever getting cooled down by Shinichi's shirt.
Guys did you see the manga like damn
Heiji's back
Hopefully for longer than one case
Yo but it's about these uninteresting things again... dunno if it was good for what it was worthhhhh